WellStar’s Diabetes Services

Self-management education is a vital part of caring for people with diabetes. Almost 80,000 people diagnosed with diabetes live in WellStar’s market area, and the CDC estimates another 26,000 people in this area have diabetes, but have not been diagnosed.

The 2011 Annual Report and 2012 Program outline Diabetes Services’ commitment to create and continue to deliver the highest quality diabetes education, management and service to individuals in our communities. Approximately 2,500 people with diabetes attended comprehensive self-management classes and annual refresher classes in 2011. Many more participated in pre-diabetes, gestational, high-risk disease management, weight management programs and support groups.

Taking part in WellStar’s diabetes services has many benefits for both the participants and the System:

• There was 70 percent reduction in hospitalizations and the A1C reduction for WellStar as a system continued to trend below the 7 percent recommendation of the American Diabetes Association. 
• Participants expressed their approval of the program with a 97 percent highly-satisfied evaluation. 
• Scores in the top 95th percentile of the Gallup employee engagement survey confirm that the staff members enjoy their work and working environment. 

Formal outpatient education classes are scheduled at WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding hospitals, and classes in the new Acworth Health Park will begin in August. There are also free diabetes support groups held at Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone and Paulding hospitals, East Cobb Primary Care and Towne Lake Medical Center. New expanded services include Medical Nutrition Therapy and Medifast®. A physician referral is required for most education classes. Several financial payment options and discount programs continue.

For a copy of the 2011 Annual Diabetes Self-Management Education Review and 2012 Program Plan, please contact Amanda Hextell at 770-793-7821 or amanda.hextell@wellstar.org.